students probably don't feel the need to learn C++. I know they'll
find it useful because the industry wants (expects, even!) C++
programming skills, so we're teaching it because they need some
background in it, but I don't think they'll practice it a lot unless
they see that really need it. It will be hard for them to
concentrate on that when they're working on a project in another
language.

How important is C++ programming? I'm probably just going to give
them a very light background - syntax, header files and
implementation files, methods, objects and classes (and friends, of
course), maybe even multiple inheritance, but not GUI because
there's no real standard. We might be able to do networking, but
it's somewhat iffy, as their projects won't require it.
Thoughts:

(a) They have to worry about CS152, CS101, and the implementation of
their CS123 project (which will probably be in a different
language), so they might not work on C++ as much. After all, CS123
is a software engineering course, not a language course. We'll
keep C++ light and easy.

(b) We can force them to learn C++ if we make it a required part of
their project. Java clients and a C++ server pass text data over
the network. If so, then we'll place more emphasis on databases
and networking, and less on OOP. This is more risk, but makes
C++ a bit more useful.

(c) Teach them C++. Allow them to choose between starting with a
Java or a hybrid Java/C++ system. If they work on a Java version
first, they'd have worked through some of the logic bugs in the
Java version, and they have a working version to restore if they
can't get the C++ version to work... Then they can just do
translation (with lots of kludging). Upside: trains them to
port. Downside: They'll essentially be translating, so they
might not appreciate multiple inheritance, friends, and other
weird C++ features.

Help!

- I've used mindmaps for two days in a row now, and it's been a lot of

fun. I don't refer to it that often, but it's there for the students
to look at, and I've used it to organize my notes on nifty projects
and topics to be discussed. The mindmapping software I use is called
Freemind, and it can be downloaded from
http://freemind.sourceforge.net .

- I structured boolean logic and truth tables as an informal lab

experiment. Next time, I can prepare a nice page with the objectives
and instructions.

- Making the students' projects publicly viewable seems like a good

idea. They add a lot more comments to their code so that other
students can learn from their programs, and they include additional
features we haven't discussed yet. I use their code as examples in
class. I'm also excited about checking projects - they're not
rehashes of the same thing, and even the ones that are feature-equal
have different questions on the flashcards.

Potential downside: Some students might be intimidated by other
people who are so much faster. We discuss important concepts in
class, and I point out probable errors. A number of students have
dropped in for consultation - some review old topics, some want to
learn more. I think this is not really a problem.

1. "Blogs in the Workplace" : 10:17

There is growing interest among businesses, educational
institutions, and government agencies to use Web logs (blogs)
rather than email for internal communications. Community Connect
director of operations Nicholas Tang uses blogs to coordinate ...
http://www.acm.org/technews/articles/2003-5/0707m.html#item7

Changing the graduate programs in psychology
- adding a nonthesis track for all the four MA programs
- PhD: changing the social psychology track to social organization

Spirit: want to make the MA level really strongly applied for
professionals who are working and applying knowledge out in the field,
and PhD more for those who want careers in the academe or in research.
Stronger scholarly aspect.

Non-theses: Master of Psychology instead of Master of Arts in Psychology

Developmental psychology track reason: focus on child psychology
before, but now more on human development across all stages in life,
including old age. (Don't worry, you'll be included here.)

Social and Community Psychology: focus of social psych around 20 to 25
years ago. Now applied social psychology track, will tend to cover
issues tackled by social scientists - peace, environment, women...

PhD in Social Psychology to PhD in Social-Organizational Psychology:
industrial psychology niche

Purpose: apply knowledge and do projects that will be useful for
current and future practitioners in their areas of concentration.

Guidelines:

Course changes that will accompany the proposed changes in the programs

...

Ateneo College Education Survey

ACES

Questions:

- Detdet, psych: ask the research team for recommendations for further

follow-up research? Placement: We wanted to give the same
questionnaire to the next batch of graduates, and also follow-up
studies by school. Detdet: Would be nice to hear what the students
have to say - individual interviews, focus groups...

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Page: 2003.07.09

Updated: 2004-11-2106:44:1306:44:13-0500

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